Pooja Y. Patel: Leading Synvect's Mission towards ecologically sustainable Mosquito Control

I had the chance to connect with Pooja Y. Patel, co-founder and Chief Business Officer (CBO) of Synvect.

Pooja Y. Patel is a an epidemiologist, and a biotech go-to-market leader. With two degrees from Columbia University, and a proven track record at Pfizer and venture-backed startups, Pooja brings a unique blend of healthcare expertise and commercial savvy to her role. Currently at the helm of Synvect, she is actively engaged in executing go-to-market strategies and building an impactful global customer network. Pooja's commitment extends beyond business; she is dedicated to improving public health outcomes, particularly in addressing the urgent mosquito problem.

Q: Tell me about your business and what separates you from your competition.

A: Synvect is pioneering the future of eco-friendly, bioengineered mosquito control—offering a solution that is not only highly effective but also safe, scalable, and sustainable.

Unlike conventional methods that rely on harmful chemicals or ineffective stopgaps, our technology provides a green, scientifically driven alternative that protects people, pets, and ecosystems without compromising efficacy. What truly sets us apart is our ability to deliver an innovative, affordable solution that is both accessible and impactful, reaching communities in the United States and beyond.

We recognize that vector-borne diseases disproportionately affect underserved populations, and our commitment extends globally to those who need it most. Thanks to the generous support of The Gates Foundation, we are accelerating the deployment of our technology to ensure a healthier, more resilient future—where cutting-edge science meets real-world impact.

Q: What are you expecting out of 2025 and how will that impact your business?

A: Last year, we focused extensively on validating our technology beyond the lab. While our cutting-edge solution originated from groundbreaking research at UCSD, we needed to ensure its real-world efficacy. Through rigorous testing, we confirmed that our technology not only works but delivers meaningful impact.

Now, it's full steam ahead. This year, our priority is refining the customer experience by working closely with our partners in Florida, Texas, California, and beyond. We know the science is solid—now, we're focused on optimizing our solution to best meet the needs of our diverse customer base.

Whether it's an individual protecting their backyard, a public health organization combating vector-borne diseases, or a resort maintaining a mosquito-free environment, we are committed to delivering a tailored, high-performing solution. Our goal is simple: to ensure that Synvect’s technology seamlessly integrates into the lives and operations of those who need it most.

Q: How did your early experiences shape your path toward becoming a biotech entrepreneur?

A: I often say I was raised by both a dreamer and a realist. My mother, ever the realist, instilled in me the importance of stability-of choosing a profession that provides security and enables the life you aspire to live. My father, despite being a doctor, always harbored the dream of becoming an entrepreneur. But after immigrating from India to the United States, he faced the reality that entrepreneurship lacked the stability our first generation family needed. Instead, his dream was for us to think beyond what was merely comfortable-to push boundaries, take risks, and embrace the possibility of something greater.

I am a product of both perspectives. My passion for epidemiology stems from a deep desire to create large-scale impact-solutions that don’t just improve lives today but redefine how people thrive in the future. Yet, I’ve always been drawn to building something outside the traditional frameworks, a path undoubtedly shaped by my parents' influence. Some risks are necessary, but so is pragmatism.

Entrepreneurship wasn’t a predetermined goal for me. I never set out simply to start a company-it was never about creating just for the sake of it. Instead, ideas have come to me organically, and I’ve felt an undeniable pull to bring them to life. I’m not the kind of person who can build something just for the sake of building it. If I don’t believe in it, I can’t bring it to market. But when I do believe-when I see the potential for true impact-that’s when I know I have to make it happen.

Q: As both an epidemiologist and business leader, how do you balance scientific rigor with commercial strategy in your role as CBO at Synvect?

A: As both an epidemiologist and a business leader, I see my role at Synvect as the bridge between scientific rigor and commercial strategy-two forces that are often seen as competing but, in reality, must work in tandem to create lasting impact.

My background in epidemiology means I am deeply committed to evidence-based solutions. Public health isn’t just about innovation; it’s about ensuring that interventions are both effective and scalable in the real world. At the same time, my experience in corporate strategy and startups has taught me that even the most groundbreaking science cannot create impact unless it is commercially viable. A great product alone is not enough-it has to fit within existing market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and customer needs.

At Synvect, balancing these priorities means ensuring that our bioengineered mosquito control technology is not only scientifically sound but also positioned for real-world adoption. This means:

• Scientific Rigor: We validate our technology rigorously through field trials and real-world testing, ensuring efficacy, safety, and sustainability.

• Market Alignment: We work closely with public health organizations, municipalities, businesses, and individual consumers to refine our solution based on their needs.

• Scalability & Accessibility: Vector-borne diseases disproportionately impact underserved communities, so we focus on affordable, scalable deployment

By merging scientific integrity with strategic execution, we’re creating a model where innovation doesn’t just exist—it thrives, grows, and reaches those who need it most.

Q: Many founders experience challenges and uncertainty in their entrepreneurial journey. Can you share how you've managed this aspect of leadership and what practices have helped you thrive despite these pressures?

A: Not all that glitters is gold-and that couldn’t be truer for startup founders. From the outside, people see the media features, the Forbes articles, the recognition-and for a moment, it feels validating. But just as quickly, you're reminded of the immense pressure to succeed, especially when you believe, as I do with Synvect, that your technology is a true game-changer-one that can save lives and reduce suffering.

The reality is a constant cycle-one moment, you feel unstoppable; the next, imposter syndrome creeps in. It’s an emotional pendulum that swings daily, weekly, even yearly. But something I always remind myself is this: if I gave it my all, that’s all I can do.

I never subscribed to the idea of hedging effort as an excuse for failure-like those college classmates who’d say, "I didn’t study that hard," just in case they didn’t do well. That’s never been me. If I fail-whether it’s an exam or a startup it won’t be because I didn’t give it everything I had. I will do everything in my power to make Synvect succeed because I believe it matters.

But if, despite everything, it doesn’t work out, I can walk away knowing I gave it my all. That’s the nature of entrepreneurship. Many of the most successful founders had multiple failures before their big breakthrough. Very few hit it big on their first try. What separates them isn’t just brilliance—it’s resilience, persistence, and the willingness to keep going. And that’s exactly the mindset I carry forward.

Q: As a woman founder in biotech, what unique challenges have you faced, and what advice would you give to other women looking to enter this space?

A: The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a woman founder in biotech has been finding my voice as a leader. For a long time, I believed I had to fit into the traditional archetype of a tech founder-blunt, callous, hyper-calculated-because that’s what success seemed to look like. But over time, I realized that many of the most impactful founders succeeded despite certain qualities, not because of them.

That realization was a turning point. I stopped trying to mold myself into someone else’s version of a leader and instead leaned into what is authentically me—articulate, honest, humorous, and strategic. Once I fully embraced that, doors started opening. Of course, some closed too because not everyone will resonate with the kind of leader I am. And that’s okay. Not everyone needs to be on board.

The truth is, there is no singular blueprint for being a successful founder. If anything, we’ve seen all the old leadership tropes before-let’s break the mold. Let’s be different. Let’s be ourselves.

Q: Looking ahead, how do you envision Synvect's technology evolving to address other public health challenges beyond mosquito control?

A: One of the most exciting aspects of Synvect’s CRISPR-based technology is its versatility and scalability. The same gene-editing process that we leverage to target multiple mosquito species can also be applied to other insects that pose threats to human health or quality of life. This means our platform isn’t limited to just mosquito control, it has the potential to expand into a broader range of vector-borne disease prevention and nuisance insect management.

This opens up incredible opportunities for R&D expansion, allowing us to address not just mosquitoes but other harmful or disruptive insect populations in a way that is eco-friendly, effective, and scalable. The ability to adapt our technology across species gives Synvect a strong foundation for future growth, making it possible to innovate beyond our initial focus and redefine insect control on a much larger scale. It’s a game-changing approach that has the potential to transform public health and environmental management worldwide.

Q: What do you work for and what do you do for fun?

A: As a founder, the line between work and personal life blurs-not because there’s no balance, but because building a startup is so all-consuming that it inevitably feeds into every part of your life. My day-to-day is filled with fundraising, scaling operations, driving customer acquisition, and aligning with our scientists on key milestones-and even when I’m not actively working, I’m often thinking about how to push Synvect forward.

That’s why, outside of work, I make it a point to recharge in ways that feel natural to me-which, honestly, is a mix of opposites. I love being active-yoga, pilates, long walks, anything outdoors, but I equally love the art of doing absolutely nothing: watching Real Housewives on the couch, indulging in Taco Bell, and just zoning out. To me, both are necessary. Fully unwinding allows me to show up at my best when it’s time to be fully focused. You don’t have to choose between discipline and indulgence, you can (and should) have both.

Thank you Pooja for your time and insights! 

And thank you, @zilkermedia, for making this newsletter possible! 

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